It is one of the blockbuster ballets in the Bolshoi's repertoire. Tonight (6 August), Cuban superstar Carlos Acosta becomes the first Westerner to dance it on a British stage.

Spartacus is a sand-and-sandals epic which pits heroic gladiators against decadent patricians in a slave uprising in ancient Rome.

The story told in the ballet, with music by Soviet composer Aram Khachaturian, appealed to the Moscow regime for political reasons when it was first produced in 1956. Hollywood followed suit four years later in the movie starring Kirk Douglas and Laurence Olivier.

Even in post-Soviet times the ballet remains a Bolshoi staple. Expectations for the London shows are running high after standing ovations in Moscow when Acosta premiered last month.

All three of this week's performances at the London Coliseum are sold out.

Alexei Ratmansky, the Boshoi's artistic director, said it was an epic role that Acosta, 34, was destined to play: "The part looks as if it was created for him.

"It's very much his personality. He's very much like a superhero who could lead a group of people to anything - to freedom, to ideals. It seems to me that Carlos doesn't need to act it, it's just him."

The role is technically very demanding. Mr Ratmansky added: "Spartacus is one of the most difficult parts in the male repertory."

The show, choreographed by Yuri Grigorovic, allows room for plenty of gladatorial combat. It is pushed along by the stirring score of Khachaturian, who was an ardent Armernian nationalist as well as a communist. Listeners may recognise some of the music - it was used as the theme for Seventies BBC drama series The Onedin Line.

The thought of inviting Acosta was first planted by his aunt, a ballet teacher, who, when working with the Bolshoi, mentioned her nephew wanted to play the part. The company had not realised they were related. This year the Cuban found four weeks in his hectic schedule to go to Moscow and train.

He told a Russian film crew he was working with the best when it came to playing the part. "I have a good team behind me," he said.

For the Bolshoi, who are in London for three weeks with a programme of works, it is a dream partnership. Mr Ratmansky said: "He's a superstar here."

Acosta has been warmly embraced by British audiences. A favourite with the Royal Ballet, he has sold out Sadler's Wells with his own Cuban show, Tocororo.

Next year he is among the performers in a season of dance being presented at the Coliseum by Sadler's Wells.